do you lubricate reels differently for cold weather?

[CincyDavid]

Received a reel recently that had sat out in the cold mailbox for awhile and felt really stiff, but it freed up once it warmed up. If I was planning on cold weather fishing, what do other members do differently? I would assume more oil, less grease but I don't know. Having said that, it's likely a rhetorical question in my case because I avoid going fishing in cold weather.

[jurelometer]

Lighter grade greases mostly, maybe lower viscosity oils too.

For example, standard tan Cal's is NLGI 2  thickness, and the purple version that they  recommend for lighter reels and colder weather is NLGI 1.

The most commonly available grease is NLGI 2. You can buy thinner grease, or cut regular grease with a compatible oil.  There are threads here on favorite recipes for cutting.

It is always a good idea not to overgrease reels, especially if you are going to fish in cold weather.

-J

[Keta]

I played with Cal's purple and tan for the CF DRAG DISKS on my winter steelhead reels and did not notice a difference.  For other uses a lighter oil or grease will help, preferably oil. I use TSI 321 90% of the time.

And this,

It is always a good idea not to overgrease reels, especially if you are going to fish in cold weather.
-J

[foakes]

For spinners, I use SuperLube synthetic grease.

It can be mixed with a compatible synthetic oil, if necessary.

But it seems to work very well in most types of weather from freezing to hot.

Like Dave sez, I also use Cal's purple, since it is a lighter viscosity grease.  It can be used on any part of the reel that requires grease (gears, bearings, drags, etc.).

For larger conventionals, it is Yamalube Marine.

I buy the SuperLube from Amazon in 1 lb cans.  I get Cal's from Cal and his son.  Yamalube Marine blue from the boat shops, since it is made for the outdrives on boat motors.

SuperLube is good for most everything on spinners, and is inexpensive and available easily.

My oil is different from what nearly anyone else uses, is kind of expensive, but I buy it in 1 gallon cans.  And for me, it is available locally.

If a reel has stiff grease —- don't try to free up the grease by turning the crank a bunch.  The grease has lost its effectiveness —- and the only sure remedy is a complete and thorough cleaning and polishing of all interior parts —- then apply sparingly the proper grease of your choice.

Having tried nearly every grease over 40+ years —- this is simple, and works for me.

Best, Fred

[jgp12000]

Superlube is also available in a tube at HF,I keep a tube in the house,tub in shop.Acid brushes to apply,I keep one in a 3"
Ziplock to reuse & not get everywhere.Lucas reel oil is my goto.

I have seen blue yamaha grease thicken & made a Mitchell 300 unusable in 30 degree weather,which I rarely fish in

[DougK]

I fish for trout and walleye, often in cold weather, so yes.. use Finish Line synthetic grease marketed for bicycle wheel bearings, thinned with a few drops of Superlube oil.  I have also used Hot Sauce straight and it worked well, but I don't care for its redness..

[Midway Tommy]

I only fish spinners, and I fish early and late cold weather times, plus all summer long. I start right after ice out in Feb or March and fish all summer long until freeze up in Nov or early Dec. Sometimes the air temp is just above freezing. The older I get the less I push the limits of fishing below 32, though. I consider myself an inside cat nowadays and have turned into kind of a fair weather fisherman. I've caught enough fish over the years that I don't feel the need to take on the elements any longer. I've used Super Lube synthetic grease and synthetic oil for years now, basically ever since right after it came out. I've never had an issue with my reels stiffening up in cold weather. If I do have a reel that's been sitting out in the cold for awhile and seems a little stiff I just crank it in reverse a dozen or so times and the grease loosens right up. I doubt one can beat Super Lube, especially if they plan on fishing any cold weather.     

[oldmanjoe]

  I was giving a tube of traveller marine & offroad grease , blue in color .   The other night I did oppen the end cap to see if it got thick at 35-40 degrees .   Surprised it was still thin .

   I have been using red grease cut with 2 cycle oil .   I have also just lubed with 2 cycle .
       I want to try the lucas oil because I do play with the display in the auto parts store .

   I have two reels with plexiglass side plates . One is ghosted with grease and the other is just 2 cycle oil.